By Derick Tsimba

The MDC President Nelson Chamisa has lost the plot on Afrophobic attacks in South Africa. Chamisa has blamed African countries including Zimbabwe arguing that their ailing economies had created this situation.

Zimbabwe Independent on, 06 September 2019, published an article by Nelson Chamisa “Violence not the answer,” in which Chamisa blamed African States for precipitating Afrophobia.

“Most Africans, including Zimbabweans, are in South Africa because back home their economies are struggling, failing or collapsed. Some are there because of internal conflicts and civil wars,” said Chamisa.

It is saddening that contrary to the statement by Chamisa, most South Africans were appalled to the nature of violence in their country and did not blame it on follow African nations.

Yesterday during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Africa, The South African Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni said the majority of South Africans were against Afrophobia and called for a political dialogue to end attacks on foreigners.

“The majority of South Africans are against what is happening. The majority of South Africans are appalled...the majority of us do not want this thing but we shall overcome. We have to go to our people and discuss politically that what some of them are doing is wrong. Here in South Africa, we are going through a very difficult time of these animosities that have been generated and the violence,” he said.

Free movement of goods on the continent to improve intra-African trade depends on the free movement of people, the South African Finance Minister also said.

It remains important that Africans live together as Africans. Any African must be free to live anywhere in Africa without any fears. Africans are interrelated as they share the same history and struggles. With Africans there should be no difference hence the advocacy of an AU. Africa should be united under one spirit of development and prosperity to commence its industrial revolution.

Challenges affecting the progress of the WEF on Africa and African Union (AU) can be highlighted as Afrophobia. Afrophobia has been profound in South Africa. Afrophobic attacks of fellow Africans in South Africa remains a hindrance to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). AfCFTA promotes the freedom of movement by people across Africa, The Harare Post has learnt.